Allergic rhinitis is common worldwide, with significant morbidity and impact on quality of life. In patients who don’t respond adequately to anti-allergic drugs, subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is effective but requires specialist administration. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may represent an effective and safer alternative, according to the review authors. I would add that SLIT requires specialist prescription and monitoring as well.
This Cochrane systematic review is an update of one published in 2003, and included 49 randomised, double-blind, placebo- controlled trials of sublingual immunotherapy in adults and children. There were significant reductions in symptoms (standardised mean difference (SMD), −0.49; P less than 0.00001) and medication requirements (SMD −0.32) compared with placebo. None of the trials reported severe systemic reactions, anaphylaxis or use of adrenaline (epinephrine). The authors concluded that sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is effective for allergic rhinitis and appears a safe route of administration.
References: Radulovic S, Wilson D, Calderon M, Durham S. Systematic reviews of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Allergy 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2011.02583.x.
Allergy Notes: Allergy and Asthma News Updated Daily by Allergist and Assistant Professor at University of Chicago. http://allergynotes.blogspot.com/2011/07/sublingual-immunotherapy-slit-review.html.
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Mother and daughter getting allergy skin tests. Click on the photo to see a You Tube interview with another parent and child.
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